Lempa River

Suchitoto is a town of about 7,700 people in El Salvador. It has become an important tourist destination partly due to its well-conserved colonial architecture and cobblestone roads that provide a sense of Spanish colonial living. It is a peaceful, relaxing town where one could easily spend a few days.

Understand

Streets in Suchitoto

The rise in tourism has attracted service sector businesses to open up in the small city including hostels, restaurants, and picturesque cafes. As a result of tourism, many arts and cultural spaces have opened up in Suchitoto that are also providing positive alternative opportunities for youth in the community.

History

Suchitoto had continuous human habitation long before Spanish colonization. Within its municipal territory, Suchitoto holds the site of the original founding of the Villa of San Salvador in 1528 that existed for a short time before the site was abandoned.

Get in

There is a frequent bus service from San Martín, on the Panamerican Highway to Suchitoto. To get to San Martín take any eastbound bus from San Salvador or any westbound bus from San Miguel.

To get here from La Palma (the border with Honduras) to the north west, you may need to transfer chicken buses at Aguilares. Just get off at the intersection/crossroad to Suchitoto and wait for a bus to pass through.

Get around

The town is very small. You should be able to cover all distances on foot, although walking back from the lake and waterfall involves walking up hill, and the weather at Sochitoto can get very hot. A cab (they are the funny looking small, red, enclosed vehicles) from the lake cost 50 cents each for 2 people.

See

Santa Lucia church

Cascada los Tercios

• Los Tercios waterfall (on the road south towards San Martín, turn left at the gas station, following the signs for Los Tercios; after about 2 km, there is a small sign and parking space on the left; a short trail leaves from there; go straight for a viewpoint for the lake; keep right to climb down some rocks to the waterfall). A waterfall made of a formation of hexagonal rocks. Even during the rainy season, the waterfall is usually dry; the hexagonal rocks are fascinating nevertheless. The tourism office recommends to visit Los Tercios only accompanied by tourism police who might join you there in the afternoon. The road to Los Tercios is relatively busy and there are also often tourists at the waterfall. $1 for foreigners and Salvadorans (updated May 2023). 

Do

• Boat tours are available at the lake. 30 minutes costs $20 for the entire boat, regardless of the number of people, although it may be possible to haggle. Entrance to the lake area costs $1. According to our guide apparently more common during the wet season and in the evening, and turtles can sometimes be seen on the lake edge.

• A thousand plates and more museum - a small museum that is much more interesting than it sound. The walls here are covered in plates and other antique objects from around the world. The owners are very friendly and chatty and used to live in LA for 35 years before moving back to El Salvador, so they speak English very well and will show you around their museum at no extra cost. $2 for Salvadorans and $3 for foreigners, although we were just charged $2 for some reason (updated May 2023).

Eat

Cheap, tasty canteen style meals are available at the top floor of the Suchitoto Municipal Market, which is a minute away from the main square. The restaurant area is a little hard to find, but walk around a bit and you should be able to find it.

Drink

There are not many bars in Sochitoto, but Rockochitlán Grill and Music is a pret good bar with reasonably cheap beers for those who like rock music.

Lots of very nice cafés can also be found throughout the area, including Casa 1800 Suchitoto, which although a little pricey, has fantastic views of the lake and is located in a lovely garden area, and at least according to one local, the best horchata in town.

Sleep

Budget

• Camping. In public spaces does not seem to be an option, at least the tourism office and police are not excited about the idea. The charges for camping on private grounds make camping unattractive; the cheapest option is Hotel La Barranca which charges $10 per person but offers no services. 

• Hotel Luna Blanca (one block south from the parque on 1a Ave Sur), ☏ +503 2563 5496. The cheapest option in town. Has dormitorios which are actually private rooms with a fan and a shared bathroom. Some rooms are windowless Spacious terrace. From $12 for a private dorm, $8 dorm. (updated Dec 2018)

Mid-range

• Los Almendros de San Lorenzo, ☏ +503 2-335 1200. Historical hotel with suites with air conditioning, gourmet restaurant & bar, tropical gardens & pool. 
• La Posada de Suchitlán, ☏ +503 2335 1981, fax: +503 2335-1277. Colonial - like hotel made of adobe and wood. 

Go next

Buses to San Salvador depart from the south side of Sochitoto Municipal Market. Other nearby destinations include:

• Chalatenango
• Cihuatán